Confidentiality: reporting gunshot and knife wounds

There’s a clear public interest in allowing the police to investigate violent crimes and assess the risk of further attacks.

But we don’t want victims to be discouraged from seeking the medical attention they urgently need because they’re worried you’ll identify them to the police.

This guidance will help you to balance the patient’s right to confidentiality with the risk of harm to others. It helps you decide whether you can disclose personal information without the patient’s consent. And helps you interact with the police, saying what you can disclose to them with or without the patient’s consent.

We help to protect patients and improve medical education and practice in the UK by setting standards for students and doctors. We support them in achieving and exceeding those standards, and take action when they are not met.